Garrett assesses Sandy Straits for heritage listing

The Cooloola Peninsular and Great Sandy Straits are being assessed by the Australian Heritage Council for possible inclusion on the National Heritage List.

The Assistant Secretary of the Federal Department of Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Terry Bailey, says Fraser Island is already on the list and the extension is being considered because of the environmental value of the area.

Mr Bailey says the Environment Minister Peter Garrett will make a decision sometime next year.

"The area's outstanding internationally and well recognised internationally as being the largest sand island in the world," he said.

"The Cooloola Peninsular and the Sandy Straits are really an extension of an amazingly large sand mass."